Crawfish Concerns: 'White Spot' Virus Hitting Louisiana Ponds, Threatening Industry

NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana crawfish producers, beware.

A deadly virus is threatening the industry, state aquaculture specialists said.

Mark Shirley, of the LSU Agriculture Center, said the virus — known as white spot syndrome — primarily affects shrimp and was first discovered in Thailand and other parts of southeast Asia. Somehow, he said, it has made its way to crawfish ponds in South Louisiana, where it is having a significant impact.

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